Ramadhan requires self-examination

Mustafa Bisri

Millions of Muslims across the country are entering the fasting month, while the economic crisis is far from over. The Jakarta Post reporter Muhammad Nafik interviewed Mustofa Bisri, who is known for his poetry and a as religious leader with the Nahdlatul Ulama organization. The following is an excerpt of the interview:

Question: What is the significance of the fasting month of Ramadhan in relation to various problems in Indonesia?

Answer: If people, particularly Muslims, really want to use this momentum to examine themselves, it will be meaningful for them. During the past 11 months, many people have only looked to others but have never looked within themselves and into what they have done before. They only looked at the wounds of others, not their own pains.

Treating Ramadhan as if it were only a change in eating schedules would be meaningless. When people want to get closer to God, they have to look within themselves during Ramadhan. What should Muslims do to achieve the goal of introspection?

During Ramadhan, there are many special opportunities for Muslims to be alone with God, such as in the taraweh (non- obligatory evening prayers) and witir (other non-obligatory prayers), in which they can examine whether their deeds are right or wrong, as they may have been too busy with other personal interests. How could we use the values of the holy month as a religious force to strengthen our efforts to develop a civil society?

Muslims have to look within themselves to know how strong they are when making decisions. So far, many people cannot measure themselves in trying to decide what they should do. They do whatever first enters their mind, for their own interests. So far, they have been unable to control themselves, to do what is actually intended according to their conscience. Introspection should enable one to strengthen himself against unwanted interests. How could Indonesian Muslims make use of Ramadhan to help create peace in other Islamic countries, like Afghanistan?

If people want to look within themselves, they will know who they really are, why they do what they do, and why they clash with their own brothers. What do they fight for? What noble values do they struggle for? Through self-reflection, we will be able to clearly see whether what we have done is correct or not according to the religion we follow.

Is it true that what we are doing is really to defend the religion, only passion, or something else? During Ramadhan, people can actually see many things if they want to examine themselves. Otherwise, Ramadhan is useless. Many fasting Muslims are only hungry and thirsty because they offend others and become arrogant during Ramadhan. They should have purified themselves by improving their religious services and approaches to God. So is it true that the conflicts among Muslims are due to inflamed passions?

Yes. During Ramadhan, the people who claim to struggle for the cause of Islam should take a look at what they have done. Are they really struggling to defend Islam, or are they only being controlled by their own passions? This would be clear if they really want to get closer to God and themselves by being introspective during Ramadhan. So far, we are not close to God, let alone to ourselves. What's your comment about some Muslim groups who want entertainment centers closed down during Ramadhan?

Whether they realize it or not, this is only a display of weakness. It is worrying, it shows that Muslims are so weak. If someone is too defensive by forbidding others from doing anything, it means he or she is afraid of being unable to abstain from eating and drinking or controlling their other passions during Ramadhan. This holy month is a good chance for Muslims like them to recognize themselves, to know whether what they have done is useful for Islam and is justified by their religion.

If people don't want to evaluate themselves, they will be unfortunate during the day of reckoning in the hereafter. The Prophet Mohammad has said: "Assess yourself before you are assessed." What Islamic values could help promote democracy here through Ramadhan?

Many frequently forget that Ramadhan is the month of togetherness as they are often unable to do fasting alone. Ramadhan reminds us that we are social beings. There are, therefore, rules on how we should live with others. We should not only remember our rights, but our obligations to others as well.

We also have to control each other on the basis of love. If people don't love each other, they will control others with hate and other subjective manners. But if they love and bring mercy to each other, their control is intended for correction.

How can we improve tolerance with followers of other religions?

Intolerant people usually look at others without first examining themselves. So they are arrogant and claim to be closer to Allah (compared to others). This kind of attitude is not justified by our religion. Islam should be understood comprehensively, not only in terms of the values of ritual services, but also regarding its social teachings on how to live with other people.

If people conduct self-reflection, they will realize, 'If the Prophet Muhammad was so tolerant, why not me?' Why do many Muslims think that Ramadhan belongs to them only, as if non-Muslims do not have enough space?

It's because they (Muslims) have no sufficient opportunities to examine themselves and learn about Islam due to their intense dealing with their own affairs. Everything must be clear if Muslims want to defend something for their religion.

Is what they defend really useful for Islam or will it instead tarnish Islam's image? Don't ever be trapped into doing something in a bid to defend Islam, which could actually damage the good name of your religion.

Many Muslims often treat Islam like a husband treats a wife whom he does not really know well. A loving husband once bought an expensive, red bikini for her, but she later threw it away. Why? Because she did not like it and her husband did not know her taste. It was only his impassioned spirit that made him feel love for her.